Gaming table apparatus with prize compartment feature

ABSTRACT

A gaming table apparatus including a prize container mounted in the table top and a player interface on for receiving a request to participate in the game in which a potential outcome is winning the prize contained in the compartment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/913,092 filed Dec. 6, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to systems and methods for providing, conducting and facilitating the play of various games at a gaming table.

Games such as baccarat, blackjack and various poker-based table games are popular games to play for entertainment. In whatever manner the games are played, that is, whether played amongst friends, family, competitively for points or otherwise, in tournaments or contests, whether these games are played using real gaming implements, such as physical playing cards, dice, spinning wheels and chips, or played with the assistance of electronics, such as touchscreen display devices configured to display gaming implements virtually, etc., the play of these games and many others is typically facilitated by a gaming table.

Gaming tables therefore may be of various shapes, sizes and configurations to accommodate game play and player positions, with the common feature being an elevated and generally planar gaming table surface, which may be supported by a gaming table base. The gaming table surface typically has a layer of material disposed over a rigid substrate with various indicia printed thereon referred to as a layout. The layout typically supports game play at the gaming table in that it provides game play rules and related information, designates player positions and gaming implement locations, some of which represent actions and transactions relating to the game played at the gaming table when certain gaming implements are placed therein during game play.

Many gaming tables incorporate other devices, some of which may be mounted to, on or otherwise operatively associated with the gaming table surface, such as automatic card shufflers, display devices and touch-sensitive screens, biometric identifiers, automated chip tracking devices, and even cameras adapted to game play, among various other items, such as chip trays or cup holders.

While these added items and devices add desirable functions and features to a gaming table, they are primarily designed to increase the utility of the gaming table and integrity of game play, and no player excitement or interest is derived from the incorporation of such items and devices in a gaming table. In short, these items and devices do not enhance and encourage game play.

Improvements are usually welcomed, and also in light of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a gaming table which enhances and encourages game play thereon by adding features that are attractive and beneficial to players, among other things.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention resolves issues such as those described above, among others, by providing a gaming table apparatus with attractive features that are beneficial to players to enhance and encourage game play thereon.

Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a gaming table apparatus, comprising: a gaining table top defining a generally planar upper side and a lower side, the upper side facilitating play of a game thereon, the table top including at least one opening, wherein the opening defines a space through the table top from the upper side to the lower side; a prize container defining a compartment for securely containing a prize therein and including a generally planar upper panel, the container being mounted to the table top about the space such that the compartment is adjacent to the lower side of the table top and the upper panel of the container is adjacent to the upper side of the table top, the upper panel of the container being constructed of a transparent material to form a window revealing the interior of the compartment from the upper side of the table top; and a player interface on the upper side of the table top for receiving a request to participate in the game in which a potential outcome is winning the prize contained in the compartment.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned gaming table apparatus, the upper side of the table top comprises a plurality of evenly-spaced openings with a corresponding plurality of prize containers mounted about the spaces defined by each opening of the plurality of evenly-spaced openings,

In some embodiments of the aforementioned gaming table apparatus, the upper panel of the container is in a planar relationship with respect to the upper side of the table top.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned gaining table apparatus, the upper panel of the container covers the space defined by the opening at the upper side of the table top.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned gaming table apparatus, the compartment is positioned within the space without traversing the plane defined by the upper side of the table top,

In some embodiments of the aforementioned gaming table apparatus, the player interface comprises indicia disposed on the upper side of the table top.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned gaming table apparatus, the player interface comprises a touchscreen display device mounted on the upper side of the table top.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned gaming table apparatus, the player interface comprises at least one sensing device mounted to the table top, wherein the sensing device includes an upper sensing surface positioned in a planar relationship with the upper side and configured to detect the presence of an object placed thereon.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned gaming table apparatus, the container comprises a lower portion and upper portion, the upper portion including the upper panel and a upper portion peripheral rim, the lower portion having a bottom wall and opposing side walls, the side walls including a lower portion peripheral rim, wherein the upper portion peripheral rim is mounted to the lower side of the table top.

In some embodiments, the aforementioned gaming table apparatus further comprises a support frame mounted to the lower side of the table top for supporting the lower portion of the container adjacent to the upper portion.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned gaming table apparatus, the lower portion peripheral rim and upper portion peripheral rim are non-permanently connected to one another.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned gaming table apparatus, the opening and upper panel are both square-shaped.

Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a gaming table apparatus, comprising: a gaming table top defining a generally planar upper side and a lower side, the upper side facilitating play of a game thereon, the table top including at least one opening, wherein the opening defines a space through the table top from the upper side to the lower side; a prize container defining a compartment for securely containing a prize therein, the prize container including an upper portion and a lower portion adjacent to one another, the upper portion including a generally planar raised upper panel, wherein the upper portion is mounted to the table top about the space such that the raised upper panel is in a planar relationship with the upper side of the table top, the upper panel of the container being constructed of a transparent material to form a window revealing the interior of the compartment from the upper side of the table top; and a player interface on the upper side of the table top for receiving a request to participate in the game in which a potential outcome is winning the prize contained in the compartment.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned gaming table apparatus, the upper side of the table top comprises a plurality of evenly-spaced openings with the upper portion of a corresponding plurality of prize containers mounted about the spaces defined by each opening of the plurality of evenly-spaced openings.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned gaming tab e apparatus, the upper panel covers the space defined by the opening at the upper side of the table top.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned gaming table apparatus, the upper portion includes a peripheral rim mounted to the lower side of the table top,

Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a gaming table apparatus, comprising: a gaming table top including a generally planar upper side and a tower side, the upper side facilitating play of both an underlying and secondary game thereon and including a plurality of evenly-spaced player positions defined thereon, the table top including an opening at each of the player positions, wherein each opening defines a space through the table top from the upper side to the lower side; a prize container for each of the openings of the plurality of openings, each prize container defining a compartment for securely containing a prize therein and including an upper portion and a lower portion adjacent to one another, the upper portion including a generally planar raised upper panel, the raised upper panel being in a planar relationship with the upper side of the table top and covering the lower portion and the opening, the upper panel of the container being constructed of a transparent material to form a window revealing the interior of the compartment from the upper side of the table top; and a player interface defined at each of the player positions of the plurality of player positions defined on the upper side of the table top, the player interface configured to receive a request to participate in the secondary game in which a potential outcome is winning the prize contained in the compartment, and including a sensing device mounted to the table top, wherein the sensing device includes an upper sensing surface positioned in a planar relationship with the upper side of the table top and configured to detect the presence of an object placed thereon, wherein the request to participate in the secondary game being is indicated by detecting the presence of an Object placed on the upper sensing surface.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned gaming table apparatus, the opening and raised upper panel are both square-shaped.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned gaming table apparatus, the upper panel covers the space defined by the opening at the upper side of the table top.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned gaming table apparatus, the upper portion includes a peripheral rim mounted to the lower side of table top.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a gaming table apparatus constructed according to some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the upper side of a gaming table top without the prize container therein;

FIG. 3 illustrates the lower side of a gaming table top without the prize container therein; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a prize container constructed according to some embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary applications of systems and methods according to the present invention are described in this section. These examples are being provided solely to add context and aid in the understanding of the invention. It will thus be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. Other applications are possible, such that the following example should not be taken as definitive or limiting either in scope or setting. In the detailed description that follows, references are made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments of the present invention. Although these embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention, it is understood that these examples are not limiting, such that other embodiments may be used and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, the illustrations presented in this disclosure are generally intended to be idealized representations and are not necessarily to scale. Elements which are common between figures may retain the same or similar numerical designation.

FIG. 1 illustrates a gaming table apparatus constructed in accordance with some embodiments of the invention and generally referred to by the reference numeral 10. Gaming table apparatus 10 includes a table top 12, which may be a substrate or layered composite, and is supported in an elevated by a table base (not shown) to allow room for players to either sit around or stand adjacent thereto.

While table top 12 is shown as accurately-shaped, it should be readily apparent that tabletop 12 may be of any shape or size, such as an oval, a circle, a square, a rectangle and the like. Table top 12 has an upper side 14 and a lower side 16. Upper side 14 may include a layer of felt or similar material and may also include indicia thereon indicating player positions or otherwise facilitate game play using the gaming table apparatus 10.

In this embodiment, there are six player positions shown by table top 12, Each includes an opening 18 defining a receiving space 20 for receiving a prize container 22 therein. Each player position includes a player interface 24 defined in table top 12 adjacent to the opening 18,

In other embodiments, there may be a single prize container 22, which may be positioned at any location in table top 12. In this embodiment, opening 18 is square and prize container 22 is generally box-shaped. However, it should be readily apparent that opening 18 and container 22 may be of any shape or size.

Prize container 22 of this embodiment includes an upper portion 26 and a lower portion 28 which form a compartment 30 upon being connected, attached, secured or otherwise positioned adjacent with respect to another in a non-permanent engagement, Upper portion 26 includes a raised. panel 32 made of a transparent material, such as glass, acrylic or plastic, and a lower peripheral rim 34. Lower portion 28 includes box-like structure 36 with an open side 38 (which is covered by raised panel 32 upon forming compartment 30) and an upper peripheral rim 40 about the open side 38, Lower peripheral rim 34 and upper peripheral rim 40 may be secured to one another and the lower side 16 of table top 12. In other embodiments, the lower peripheral rim 34 of upper portion 26 is secured to lower side 16 and lower portion 28 is supported directly adjacent to and underneath upper portion 26 by a. support frame (not shown) mounted to lower side 16. In other embodiments, raised panel 32 may be attached to upper portion 26 by a hinge attached so that it can be opened to access compartment 30.

Upper portion 26 of this embodiment is mounted to table top 12 so that panel 32 is in a planar relationship with respect to upper side 14 of table top 12. In some embodiments, panel 32 is substantially flush with upper side 14.

In embodiments discussed herein it is envisioned that something of value will be placed in each compartment 30, and form a winnable prize in games played on gaming table apparatus 10. Player interface 24 is therefore used to receive a request to participate in a game involving gaming table 10 which involves the potential outcome of winning a prize shown in the compartment 30 which is visible to the player through panel 32. It should be understood that unless the prize in compartment 30 is a unique item, the actual prize may be won or a facsimile thereof may be won. Player interface 24 may include a sensing device mounted to table top 10 and having an upper sensing surface 42 for detecting placement of an object thereon to serve as the request to participate. Any conventional sensing devices may be used such as the devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,393,067; 5,544,892, 6,299,534 and 7,367,884, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. In other embodiments, player interface 24 may include an electronic device, such as a touchscreen display device, keypad or may include an area designated by indicia on upper side 14.

It should be understood that many games may be played using gaming table 10. In some embodiments, the games that may be played using table 10 are wagering games, such as for example, baccarat or blackjack. In these games, players may place wagers in the underlying game using traditional methods, such as placing chips in designated areas on upper side 14, such as player side or banker side wagers in baccarat, and also place wagers to participate in a secondary game of the invention involving the prize placed in compartment 30 through player interface 24. In such embodiments, placing a wager on surface 42 or otherwise using player interface 24 to wager constitutes a request to participate in the game involving the prize. The secondary game involving the prize is preferably triggered upon satisfaction of a preset condition in the underlying game, such as a natural or twenty-one in blackjack or a natural 8 or 9 hand score in baccarat for either player side or banker side, or by placing a wager on either one or the other or both player side and banker side through a dedicated sensing surface 42 for each, that is, a banker side surface and a player side surface. Upon the secondary game being triggered by an underlying game event, the secondary game may include any conventional means for generating a random result, such as the results of a bonus wheel spin or virtual representation thereof operatively associated with a random number generator. Thus, a player having placed a wager for which the condition is satisfied in the underlying game becomes eligible to win the secondary game and the prize shown in compartment 30 at their player position. In some embodiments, winning the prize in the secondary game places the gaming table apparatus 10 in a win condition, which may include audio or visual effects such as bells and the illumination of compartment 30 at the winning player position by an illumination device (not shown) either disposed in the compartment or adjacent thereto at lower side 16 below table top 12.

In an exemplary embodiment, table 10 may be used in connection with a gaming method wherein an underlying game is played, either using physical gaming implements, such as a standard deck of playing cards, and the results of the underlying game are compared with preset secondary bonus game eligibility conditions, wherein the prize shown in compartment 30 may be won depending on the results of the secondary bonus game. Should the conditions be met, the secondary bonus game will be actuated and an outcome randomly determined. It should be understood that the secondary bonus game may also provide other randomly-selected awards, such as monetary prizes, in addition to the randomly-selected prize in compartment 30.

For example, in the game of blackjack, the preset secondary bonus game eligibility conditions can be placing a secondary wager through interface 24 and receiving a suited blackjack. Thus, the steps would include, in the underlying game of blackjack using a gaming table such as table 10 described above: receiving a wager for a secondary game associated with the underlying game through a player interface associated with a player position; continuing the underlying game until results in the underlying game are received; comparing the underlying game results with a preset bonus game criteria, wherein the preset bonus game criteria includes receiving the wager for the secondary game and receiving a suited blackjack hand in the underlying game; actuating a bonus game for each player position having satisfied the preset criteria, wherein the bonus game provides at least one randomly selected outcome of winning a prize in shown in the compartment for the player position.

In another example, in the game of baccarat, the preset secondary bonus game eligibility conditions can be receiving a secondary wager through interface 24 and receiving a natural 9 either for banker side and player side, or secondary wagers must be received through interface 24 for either banker side, player side or both. Thus, the steps would include, in the underlying game of baccarat using a gaming table such as table 10 described above: receiving one or more wagers for a secondary game associated with the underlying game through a player interface associated with a player position; continuing the underlying game until results in the underlying game are received; comparing the underlying game results with a preset bonus game criteria, wherein the preset bonus game criteria includes receiving a banker side wager for the secondary game and the banker side hand receiving a natural 9 and/or receiving a player side wager for the secondary game and the player side hand receiving a natural 9 in the underlying game; actuating a bonus game for each player position having satisfied the preset criteria, wherein the bonus game provides at least one randomly selected outcome of winning a prize in shown in the compartment for the player position.

It should be readily apparent that gaming table 10 may include computers, communication devices, data transmission devices, systems, methods and connectors, as well as a dealer interface or control device to facilitate detection of a request to participate in the secondary game, lock out or otherwise inactivate player interfaces 24 when starting the underlying game, and operation of the secondary game thereafter should the preset condition be met.

It should be understood that systems such as those described herein may be adapted and configured to function independently or may also interact with other systems or applications, such as for example, a game management system, progressive system, bonusing system or player tracking system.

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that any of the systems and methods of the invention may include various computer and network related software and hardware, such as programs, operating systems, memory storage devices, data input/output devices, data processors, servers with links to data communication systems, wireless or otherwise, and data transceiving terminals, and may be a standalone device or incorporated in another platform, such as an existing electronic gaming machine, portable computing device or electronic platforms with multiple player positions. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the precise types of software and hardware used are not vital to the full implementation of the methods of the invention so long as players and operators thereof are provided with useful access thereto or the opportunity to play the game as described herein.

It should be readily apparent that additional computerized or manual systems may also be employed in accordance with the invention in order to achieve its full implementation as a system, apparatus or method.

While exemplary systems and methods, and applications of methods of the invention, have been described herein, it should also be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative of a few particular embodiments with exemplary and/or preferred features, as well as principles of the invention, and that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the described embodiments should not be considered as limiting of the scope of the invention in any way. Accordingly, the invention embraces alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth herein, by the claims and equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A gaming table apparatus, comprising: a gaming table top defining a generally planar upper side and a lower side, the upper side facilitating play of a game thereon, the table top including at least one opening, wherein the opening defines a space through the table top from the upper side to the lower side; a prize container defining a compartment for securely containing a prize therein and including a generally planar upper panel, the container being mounted to the table top about the space such that the compartment is adjacent to the lower side of the table top and the upper panel of the container is adjacent to the upper side of the table top, the upper panel of the container being constructed of a transparent material to form a window revealing the interior of the compartment from the upper side of the table top; and a player interface on the upper side of the table top for receiving a request to participate in the game in which a potential outcome is winning the prize contained in the compartment.
 2. The gaming table apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper side of the table top comprises a plurality of evenly-spaced openings with a corresponding plurality of prize containers mounted about the spaces defined by each opening of the plurality of evenly-spaced openings.
 3. The gaming table apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper panel of the container is in a planar relationship with respect to the upper side of the table top.
 4. The gaming table apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper panel of the container covers the space defined by the opening at the upper side of the table top.
 5. The gaining table apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compartment is positioned within the space without traversing the plane defined by the upper side of the table top.
 6. The gaming table apparatus of claim 1, wherein the player interface comprises indicia disposed on the upper side of the table top.
 7. The gaming table apparatus of claim 1, wherein the player interface comprises a touchscreen display device mounted on the upper side of the table top.
 8. The gaming table apparatus of claim 1, wherein the player interface comprises at least one sensing device mounted to the table top, wherein the sensing device includes an upper sensing surface positioned in a planar relationship with the upper side and configured to detect the presence of an object placed thereon.
 9. A gaming table apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a lower portion and upper portion, the upper portion including the upper panel and a upper portion peripheral rim, the lower portion having a bottom wall and opposing side walls, the side walls including a lower portion peripheral rim, wherein the upper portion peripheral rim is mounted to the lower side of the table top.
 10. The gaming table apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a support frame mounted to the lower side of the table top for supporting the lower portion of the container adjacent to the upper portion.
 11. The gaming table apparatus of claim 9, wherein the lower portion peripheral rim and upper portion peripheral rim are non-permanently connected to one another.
 12. The gaming table apparatus of claim 1, wherein the opening and upper panel are both square-shaped.
 13. A gaming table apparatus, comprising: a gaming table top defining a generally planar upper side and a lower side, the upper side facilitating play of a game thereon, the table top including at least one opening, wherein the opening defines a space through the table top from the upper side to the lower side; a prize container defining a compartment for securely containing a prize therein, the prize container including an upper portion and a lower portion adjacent to one another, the upper portion including a generally planar raised upper panel, wherein the upper portion is mounted to the table top about the space such that the raised upper panel is in a planar relationship with the upper side of the table top, the upper panel of the container being constructed of a transparent material to form a window revealing the interior of the compartment from the upper side of the table top; and a player interface on the upper side of the table top for receiving a request to participate in the game in which a potential outcome is winning the prize contained in the compartment.
 14. The gaming table apparatus of claim 13, wherein the upper side of the table top comprises a plurality of evenly-spaced openings with the upper portion of a corresponding plurality of prize containers mounted about the spaces defined by each opening of the plurality of evenly-spaced openings.
 15. The gaming table apparatus of claim 13, wherein the upper panel covers the space define( the opening at the upper side of the table top.
 16. The gaming table apparatus of claim 13, wherein the upper portion includes a peripheral rim mounted to the lower side of the table top.
 17. A gaining table apparatus, comprising: a gaming table top including a generally planar upper side and a lower side, the upper side facilitating play of both an underlying and secondary game thereon and including a plurality of evenly-spaced player positions defined thereon, the table top including an opening at each of the player positions, wherein each opening defines a space through the table top from the upper side to the lower side; a prize container for each of the openings of the plurality of openings, each prize container defining a compartment for securely containing a prize therein and including an upper portion and a lower portion adjacent to one another, the upper portion including a generally planar raised upper panel, the raised upper panel being in a planar relationship with the upper side of the table top and covering the lower portion and the opening, the upper panel of the container being constructed of a transparent material to form a window revealing the interior of the compartment from the upper side of the table top; and a player interface defined at each of the player positions of the plurality of player positions defined on the upper side of the table top, the player interface configured to receive a request to participate in the secondary game in which a potential outcome is winning the prize contained in the compartment, and including a sensing device mounted to the table top, wherein the sensing device includes an upper sensing surface positioned in a planar relationship with the upper side of the table top and configured to detect the presence of an object placed thereon, wherein the request to participate in the secondary game being is indicated by detecting the presence of an object placed on the upper sensing surface.
 18. The gaming table apparatus of claim 17, wherein the opening and raised upper panel are both square-shaped.
 19. The gaming table apparatus of claim 17, wherein the upper panel covers the space defined by the opening at the upper side of the table top.
 20. The gaming apparatus of claim 17, wherein the upper portion includes a peripheral rim mounted to the lower side of table top. 